Does a game ever do everything you ever wanted and more?

As I type this I listen to the end credits. They encapsulate this game better than I ever could, and it’s doing it only with sound. Lighthearted mischief, badass action, crazy thrill, and genuine horror.

When this game got revealed, I was excited, but I saw it as unnecessary. Resident Evil 4 was one of my favorite games of all time already, how could this top it? Most agreed Resident Evil 4 was a masterpiece already, so why a remake? Now I know.

This game is paced like a dream. I was never bored, I was never angry, I was never rushing through it just so I could see what happens next. I enjoyed it the entire way through. The worst part of the game was the beginning village, and even that was still fun.

The second credits kicked in with the vocal theme just now. Eyes scanning the scrolling text, seeing all the mindnumbingly talented experts involved with this apex of the genre. Apex of the medium, really. Should be an example of video games when we meet aliens.

I’ve said so much and I’ve not even mentioned the gameplay. It’s phenomenal. Zero complaints. At first it was awkward. I died quite a bit. I thought the parry was poorly implemented. I was just dumb and stuck in my RE4 OG stunted ways. The combat is so freeing, the parry allows for so much creativity in your gun and knifeplay, and the GUNS! They’re awesome. Not much to say there, haha. If you played RE4 you’d know. Didn’t use the darts as much as I wanted to.

Never look back. You could say that about the original game if you really wanted. Now, I wouldn’t! I think the OG has its charm. The quirky dialogue, low budget action movie protagonist, the vibe, the OST. Even if you played the remake first, you should play the original!

But I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t want to.

There’s two scenes in particular that really stuck out to me. Spoilers below!

At the end of Chapter 13, when Leon, defeated, tired, infected, lays next to Ashley as she’s unconscious from her Los Plagos parasite. The scene is very somber, yet hopeful. This isn’t the first time they’ve reunited - and won’t be the last. But it really feels like an oasis in a war. Leon and Ashley’s dynamic in this game is perfect. The other scene is at the end of Chapter 15, before Leon eliminates the bug inside of Ashley. Leon, trudging through, his muscles failing, barely able to stand, is carrying the lifeless body of Ashley to Luis’ lab. Saddler uses his God-like powers granted by the parasite to make Leon hallucinate, and we’re treated to very bizarre visuals. You really would not expect them in a Resident Evil game, of all things! Leon pushes through this (even telling Saddler to shut up in a really fed up tone when he goes on his generic Godlike Bad Guy rant about world domination and purging those who rebel et cetera et cetera) and saves Ashley. Only then does he allow himself to pass out.

These scenes are so great. The little interactions Leon has with her are so great. Luis is so great - he’s an actual character now. Enjoyed every scene with him. Ada is pretty good too. I agree with the complaints her VA fell flat. Don’t think it’s bad though. This game is great. The bosses are great.

THE KRAUSER BOSS BATTLES! Holy shit I almost forgot. Those are incredible. Might be some of the best boss battles I’ve ever experienced in a game. Just the chapter before I was fighting the Verdugo knife only parrying and weaving, having a blast. So having TWO boss battles that are just like that?! It’s incredible. Really nothing else that can be said. Krauser’s character is also way better here. Really you can say [character] is better and it applies on everyone… besides Salazar. I liked his boss battle quips and him being shot in the forehead was hilarious, but I wish we got the comm conversations like the original.

If I’m gonna talk about my nitpicks now, then here’s one of them; they use Regeneradors. A lot. More than the original game. And like, they’re not hard. They just lose the fear they instill on the first sighting. When you’re introduced to them? God. That’s terrifying. But the impact is dulled unlike the original game as we see them more. Little disappointed about that. A little. The game was a lot scarier than the original as a whole, though. The original is NOT scary.

The save theme is amazing. Listening to it on repeat now after the credits ended. Sad Serenity has been neutered but it’s still got a cool vibe. The pause screen theme is real ethereal too. Don’t remember the boss battle themes, sorry! Resident Evil isn’t known for interesting combat melodies.

I could go on. Play this game ASAP. I was addicted to Resident Evil 4 (Leon inspired my fashion sense) for months and I think (know) this will be the same deal.

No thanks, bro!